2019 Scottish and Northern Skiffs Circuit round up
by Jono Shelley 3 Nov 11:29 GMT
Scottish Musto Skiff racing © Marc Turner /
www.pfmpictures.co.uk
Around 50 different competitors raced in at least one event of the 2019 circuit. Racing took place at a number of excellent venues with different event winners in 7 out of the 8 events.
The fleet gives thanks to Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club, Ullswater Yacht Club, Largs Sailing Club, East Lothian Yacht Club, Chanonry Sailing Club, Tynemouth Sailing Club and Dalgety Bay Sailing Club for hosting the class this year. A sailing day of a lifetime at Chanonry will be remembered fondly by the fleet for many years to come.
Event winners (in order) were Ian Trotter, Alistair Conn, Ben Schooling(2), Dan Trotter, Jamie Hilton, Robbie Wilson and Jono Shelley. Others with regular 'podium prominence' in the year included Stuart Keegan, Josh Moran, Euan Hurter, Paul Rigg and Ian Turnbull with strength in depth of the Scottish fleet ever increasing.
A special thanks also goes to Sunderland Yacht Club who hosted the Skiff fleet as part of the Boatman Bonanza. A commemorative event for Martin Boatman, Skiff sailor and friend of many who sadly passed away earlier in the year. Sail on Martin.
The largest event of the year was The Scottish and Northern Skiff National Championship hosted by East Lothian SC. The racing was decided on the last race with Dan Trotter winning from Jono Shelley and Rs800 of James Penty and Eddie Grayson. Whilst not part of the Scottish and Northern circuit it would be frankly reprehensible not to mention the UK Musto Skiff National Championship which was expertly hosted by Largs Sailing Club and was won by the Flying Scotsman, Jamie Hilton.
Whilst once again Musto Skiffs were the dominant force in the racing, it was great to see a number of other skiffs including RS800's, 49&29ers Cherubs and i14's come and join the fun at times. It's also great for our friends from further South to join us for events and we can often arrange a spare boat. We hope that this variety continues to grow in 2020.
The series overall is based on the best 4 events of 8. Showing how it's done and that it's experience that counts across the season Ian Trotter is 2019 Series Champion (7pts) with Jono Shelley 2nd (9pts) and Jamie Hilton 3rd (11pts).
The 2020 event calender will be published soon and we look forward to more competitive racing in the Scottish and Northern Skiff series.